Building on Success to Effectively Integrate Current Children’s Coverage with National Health Reform: Ideas from State CHIP Programs
This State Health Policy Briefing was developed by the National Academy for State Policy (NASHP) with state Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP) directors as well as other state officials working toward covering all children. The brief discusses key considerations for policy makers and stakeholders working on national health reform to sustain gains and support further improvement efforts for children’s coverage now underway through both CHIP and Medicaid. This briefing highlights CHIP successes and lessons learned in covering children that national health reform should build on and integrate so it is successful for children as well as adults. Additionally, this briefing includes options for assuring a smooth transition for the 14.1 million children and pregnant women expected to be covered by CHIP during 2013, but who may be moved either to exchange plans or Medicaid under proposals pending in Congress.
| Building on Success Issue Brief | 191.5 KB |
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
